Charlotte, North Carolina may be known for being home to Bank of America, the NFL, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but this burgeoning city is full of sweet southern charm and a progressive cultural landscape, making the Queen City a perfect place to play.

Day 1: Evening

Save on cab fare from the airport and take a $2 shuttle to the City Transit Center. Stay in the heart of the city at a hotel in “uptown” Charlotte (what the locals call their downtown.) Romantics and the literati alike will fall for the Gatsby-esque Dunhill, a historic boutique hotel teeming with 20s nostalgia. Value-conscious travelers, check in to the Hyatt House, just a block form the transit center. Lose the luggage and jump the Light Rail to Historic South End, where you can hop around the galleries and shops to work up an appetite. Share a few small plates at Liberty Gastropub or try Mac’s Speed Shop, where bikers and bankers enjoy filling up on Southern fare. After dinner, grab a pint or two at Triple C Brewery (their Smoked Amber is a seasonable standout). Take the Light Rail back uptown to crash, or continue your beer buzz at the EpiCentre, an epic bar-hopping experience.